3 Steps to Becoming a Revenue-Generating Muslim
Want to become successful Da'i? Don't read this, memorise it.
You understand the importance now. Right?
Your income directly reflects the quality of life you and your family will live. The kind of house you live in. The type of schools your kids can attend. How nutritious the food you feed your family is. What kinds of life experiences can you give your family?
While people may be able to help to care for some of your needs, there is no guarantee that anyone will do that for you. You do not want the financial foundation of your family's future to be in other people's hands. You also do not want your financial well-being journey to detract you from Allah's mission -- the propagation of His deen.
Being a responsible Muslim is not easy, especially when you have no one to turn to. Luckily, Allah alone will always be sufficient if you follow his teachings. The Qur'an says:
But Allah has permitted trading and forbidden interest. Q:275
In other words, the secret to financial freedom and well-being is to start a trade or business and run it following Allah's guidance. This is what will help you live the "upper hand" lifestyle.
You might not become a multi-millionaire, but you'll be able to care for your family without always relying on others. You'll also have the freedom to share the message of Islam based on the limit of your knowledge without needing approval from anyone.
In the last e-letter, I shared some thoughts about the Prophet's (s.a.w) advice regarding [[Your Wealth Before Your Poverty]]. I didn't share strategies you could use to become a Revenue-Generating Muslim (RGM). That is precisely what I have done in this letter.
In this letter, you will learn the three steps of the wealth-building framework: Attention, Retention, and Monetisation (ARM). This framework relies mostly on the digital economy.
It also requires patience and perseverance. I believe in helping every conscious Muslim build their financial well-being system.
So, step by step, let's get to it.
Step 1 - Attention Grabbing: The Gateway to Revenue Generation
Becoming a revenue-generating Muslim requires a strategic approach, beginning with capturing attention. In this first step, we'll delve into the art of Attention Grabbing—a pivotal phase in personal brand building that lays the foundation for a thriving online presence.
As a Muslim who wants to perpetuate the Islamic civilisation through Islam's value system, you must realise that you are transacting in global ideological marketplaces. And the various social media platforms are digital societies that embody those marketplaces.
No ideology or civilisation can thrive without a people who embrace it. So, you need to engage with Muslims and influence them to hold fast to the teachings of Islam. Millions of Muslims are on most social media platforms, the digital society. Learning to grab attention will help you stand out in the digital society. It will provide an audience for your message.
Unveil Your Authenticity: To grab attention effectively, authenticity is your greatest asset.
Whether you're sharing your journey, insights, or expertise, be genuine. Your audience can sense authenticity, and it's the key to fostering a connection. Consider sharing personal stories or reflections that align with your values as a Muslim.
Instead of merely showcasing achievements, share the challenges you've overcome and the lessons learned. This authenticity will resonate and create a deeper bond with your audience.
Consistent Presence on Social Media: Building a personal brand demands consistency.
Show up daily on your chosen social media platforms. Be it Instagram, Twitter, or LinkedIn—regular, meaningful posts keep you at the forefront of your audience's minds. Consistency breeds familiarity, a crucial factor in the Know, Like, Trust (KLT) journey.
If you're a business coach catering to Muslim entrepreneurs, share bite-sized tips, success stories, or motivational quotes regularly. This constant presence positions you as a reliable source of inspiration and guidance. You don't have to be on all social platforms. Choose one at the beginning. Establish your brand there until you build your KLT.
Organic Traffic vs. Social Media Ads: While organic methods require effort and time, they are powerful. Utilise hashtags, engage with your audience and leverage the reach of trending topics. Organic growth may take time, but it's a solid foundation. If patience is not your virtue, social media ads can expedite the process. However, be prepared to invest significantly.
Experiment with organic methods initially. Engage in conversations, join relevant groups, and participate in trending challenges. Once you identify what resonates, consider targeted ads to amplify your reach.
Fostering Know and Like: At this stage, the goal is to make people know and like you. Share content that aligns with your audience's interests and concerns. Engage in two-way communication, responding to comments and messages on time. This interaction builds a sense of community, a crucial aspect of personal brand building.
If you're passionate about Islamic finance, for example, share insightful posts and ask your audience about their financial challenges. Engage in conversations about solutions, creating a space where your audience feels heard and understood.
Patience as a Virtue: Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither is a robust personal brand. Patience is vital during the attention-grabbing phase. Building genuine connections takes time, but the dividends of trust and loyalty are immeasurable.
Even if your follower count grows slowly initially, focus on engagement quality. A smaller, engaged audience is far more valuable than a large, disinterested one.
Imagine your social media presence as a garden. Attention-grabbing is like planting seeds. Authenticity is the nutrient-rich soil, consistency is the water that helps the seeds grow, and engagement is the sunlight that nourishes them. Like waiting for the first sprouts, patience is crucial for the seeds to flourish into a vibrant, thriving garden.
Mastering the art of attention-grabbing helps you lay the groundwork for a community that knows and likes you. In the next two steps, we'll explore how to retain this attention and ultimately monetise it, turning your engaged audience into loyal supporters and customers.
Step 2 - Retention of Attention: Sustaining the Flame of Engagement
Having successfully grabbed your audience's attention, the next crucial step in our framework is Retention of Attention.
This phase is about nurturing the seeds of interest you planted in Step 1, fostering a more profound connection through strategic engagement. To do that, you need to consider the following tips:
Transition to Your Mailing List: As your audience notices your micro messages on your chosen social media platform, it's time to transition some of that attention to a more stable platform—your mailing list.
Craft compelling social media content that encourages your followers to join your mailing list. Offer incentives like exclusive content, e-books, or access to webinars to sweeten the deal.
Post a captivating snippet of your latest insights on social media and direct your audience to your website or a landing page where they can subscribe for more exclusive content.
Welcome Email Sequence: Once on your mailing list, engage your audience with a well-thought-out welcome email sequence.
This sequence serves as a bridge from social media to their inbox, providing an opportunity to educate and indoctrinate them into your message. Share valuable content, personal stories, and insights over a span of 5 to 30 days.
For example, if your niche is the Islamic lifestyle, your welcome sequence might include emails on healthy habits during Ramadan, personal reflections, and recommended resources.
Build Trust through Education: Trust is the cornerstone of any meaningful relationship. Use your welcome sequence to educate your audience, positioning yourself as an authority in your niche. Share valuable information, tips, and resources that genuinely benefit them. The more they learn from you, the more trust you build.
For example, If you're a fitness enthusiast targeting Muslims, share workout routines suitable for various fitness levels and nutritional advice aligned with Islamic dietary guidelines.
Know, Like, Trust Continuum: Retention of attention is not just about keeping your audience.
It's about moving them along the Know, Like, Trust continuum. By consistently providing value and building a rapport, you transition from being known to being liked and, ultimately, trusted.
Therefore, you want to regularly engage with your mailing list by sending newsletters, updates, and exclusive offers. Respond promptly to their replies because this will foster a sense of community and trust.
Consistency Across Platforms: Ensure a seamless experience for your audience across social media and email.
Consistency in branding, messaging, and content creates a cohesive narrative. This continuity reinforces your identity and keeps your audience engaged regardless of the platform.
If your social media reflects a vibrant and positive tone, maintain that tone in your emails. Consistency reinforces your brand personality.
To go a bit graphic, visualise your audience's journey like a relay race. Attention-grabbing was the starting sprint; now, the baton is passed to the retention of attention step. The mailing list becomes the relay handoff point, and the welcome sequence is the stretch where the audience runs with you. Each email in the sequence is a well-executed stride, building momentum and trust until your audience confidently holds the baton of your message.
As you master the art of retaining attention, the final leg of the 3-step ARM framework—Monetisation—awaits.
Step 3 will guide you in transforming the cultivated attention into a revenue stream, allowing you to reap the rewards of your strategic efforts.
Step 3 - Magnetisation: Turning Attention into Revenue
Now that you've captivated your audience's attention and retained it through strategic engagement, it's time to unlock the final stage of ARM framework—Monetisation.
This step is the culmination of your efforts, where you convert the cultivated attention into a sustainable source of revenue.
The following tips will guide you through the monetisation stage:
Strategic Offer Introductions: As you've built a foundation of "know, like, and trust," introduce strategic offers to your mailing list.
These offers could include exclusive products, services, or memberships. Craft your offerings in alignment with the needs and preferences of your audience.
If you're a Muslim lifestyle blogger, consider offering an exclusive e-book on simplifying daily routines to enhance spiritual well-being.
Segmentation for Personalised Offers: Leverage the data from your mailing list to segment your audience based on interests, engagement levels, or demographics. This segmentation allows you to tailor your monetisation strategy, delivering personalised offers that resonate with specific segments.
If your audience includes both parents and young professionals, segment your list and offer parenting workshops to one group and career development resources to the other.
Limited-Time Promotions: Create a sense of urgency by incorporating limited-time promotions.
Whether it's a discount on a product or an exclusive package, time-sensitive offers encourage prompt decision-making and drive conversions.
Launch a 72-hour flash sale on your online course for Muslim entrepreneurs, enticing your audience with a discounted rate and exclusive bonuses for early enrolment.
Value-Driven Sales Funnels: Design sales funnels that prioritise value.
Guide your audience through a journey where each step adds value to their lives. Whether it's through educational content, free trials, or sample products, ensure that every touchpoint reinforces the value of your offerings.
If you're selling Islamic art prints, for instance, create a sales funnel that begins with educating your audience on the significance of each art piece, followed by a limited-time offer for a curated collection.
Feedback and Iteration: After launching your monetisation efforts, seek feedback from your audience. Understand what resonates with them and what can be improved. Use this feedback to iterate and refine your offerings, ensuring continuous improvement.
Conduct surveys or encourage direct messages for feedback on your online course. Use this information to enhance course content, delivery, or additional resources.
Now, imagine your monetisation journey as a garden in full bloom. Attention-grabbing was planting seeds, retention of attention nurtured the saplings, and now, monetisation is the blossoming of vibrant flowers. Each strategic offer is a unique bloom, and the personalised approach ensures that every flower is appreciated.
As you master the art of monetisation, you create a revenue stream and solidify your position as a trusted authority in your niche. Your engaged audience, now converted into loyal customers, forms the backbone of your revenue-generating ecosystem.
Ultimately, the 3-step framework—Attention Grabbing, Retention of Attention, and Monetisation (ARM)—is your roadmap to becoming a Revenue-Generating Muslim (RGM). By strategically navigating these steps, you transform casual observers into raving fans who know, like, and trust you and actively support your endeavours.
May your journey be prosperous and fulfilling.
Talk to you soon,
Teslim
The Muslimchangemaker
In the meantime, I encourage you to enrol in my free 7-Day LIFE Mastery course for Conscious Muslims, where I further break down how you can become a Revenue-Generating Muslim (RGM).